Strain game
The No.1pullout that scores EVERY time RAFA BOYS LOOK WEARY
RAFA BENITEZ admits flagging Newcastle are feeling the strain.
Injuries and fatigue are starting to bite and the Magpies head to Birmingham today without key defenders Ciaran Clark and DeAndre Yedlin, with both facing several weeks on the sidelines.
Newcastle looked to be running away with the Championship title after beating main rivals Brighton and Huddersfield in the space of four days.
But since then they have picked up just one point from two games and Benitez saw worrying signs during their shock 3-1 home defeat against Fulham, particularly from midfielders Jonjo Shelvey and Jack Colback.
“I could see they were a little bit short of legs,” he said.
“To play so many games in a row in a few days is not easy, especially such important ones.
“But you cannot blame them because they were giving everything. I am still very pleased with them.”
Defensive absentees are giving the Toon boss another headache with Clark’s medial knee problem a real blow considering the Republic of Ireland ®Êby IAN MURTAGH international has been one of his top performers this term.
Benitez will either bring in Grant Hanley, or switch left back Paul Dummett to the heart of defence.
“Injuries are bad news but we are equipped to deal with it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Benitez is not tempted to keep Florian Thauvin, despite the winger’s call-up to the France squad. Thauvin flopped at St James’ Park last term but has revived his career on loan at former club Marseilles.
Clear
He is likely to join them on a permanent basis this summer with Benitez having no regrets about his decision to loan him out. He added: “We knew when he was here that he was a good player, but sometimes a player is not settled in a city or a club and he has to go to another place where maybe he is more comfortable. “With him, it was clear from day one. We knew what was the best for both. I’m happy because he is going with the national team.” BRADFORD duo Alex Jones (dead leg) and Nicky Law (knee) both hope to return to contention. On-loan winger Alex Gilliead (hamstring) has returned to parent club Newcastle and could be out for the next four weeks.
Swindon’s Brad Barry is banned, while Jordan Stewart and Yaser Kasim could be involved. BRISTOL ROVERS midfielder Stuart Sinclair serves a one-match ban and his place could go to Ollie Clarke, who is available after completing his own suspension.
Paul McGinn (hamstring) could make a long-awaited return to the Chesterfield squad. Ian Evatt’s knee injury does not appear as bad as initially feared, but the centre-half remains on the sidelines. FLEETWOOD boss Uwe Rosler has to decide whether or not to stick with a winning line-up. Devante Cole and Ashley Eastham both missed the 1-0 win over Walsall, but are fit to return.
Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley is set to welcome back George Francomb, who missed Tuesday’s win as his wife was giving birth. MILLWALL’S Jordan Archer (groin) and Steve Morison (calf) are both rated 50-50 for the clash.
Bury manager Lee Clark could have midfielders Jacob Mellis (leg) and Craig Jones (groin) back in contention. Winger Jack Mackreth is unavailable for Bury, as he has returned to Macclesfield on loan until the end of the season.